Switch



A HALL Oct. 24, 1939.

SWITCH Filed Oct. 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Art/1111' HallATTORNEY A. HALL 2,177,481

SWITCH Filed Oct. 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR ATTORNEY Oct. 24,1939. HALL 2,177,481

SWITCH Filed Oct. 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ti l'l 68 A mn-@ s f(ii-lump.

INVENTOR Art/7W Hall ATTORN EY A. HALL SWITCH Oct. 24, 1939.

Filed Oct. 5, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Arf/zur Patented Oct. 24, 1939SWITCH Arthur Hall, Indianapolis, mm, assignor, by mesne assignments, toP. R. Mallory & 00., Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation of DelawareApplication October 5,1934, Serial No. 746,950

3 Claims. (01. 200-11) This invention relates to electric switches andhas for a general object the provision of such a device which is compactin structure, efficient in operation and can be economicallymanufactured and readily assembled into a plurality of desired formsfrom standard parts.

The invention further contemplates the provision of an improved electricswitch for radio use capable of effective circuit selection, with the inswitch assembly made from standard parts arranged to meet the particularrequirements of the radio set in which used, particular objects of theinvention being the provision of combinations and sub-combinations ofelements useful 5 both effectively to obtain this general end and toperform certain subsidiary steps, operations and functions involvedtherein.

Another object of the invention is the provision in such a switch ofimproved and novel bridging pieces or slugs for establishing electricalconnection between certain terminals.

A further object of the invention is the provision in such a device of astandard switch base part of insulating materialprovided with a cen- 25tral aperture to receive a rotatable contactor member and havingimproved types of apertures for receiving, without requiring tools,terminal contacts to be arranged in such of said apertures as circuitrequirements necessitate.

- :30 A still further object of the invention is directed to the noveland ingenious connection made between aligned cylindrical and flatshafts by which one'may cause a corresponding rotation of itself in theother.

The inventionpresents a further object of im proving upon the rotorconstruction and obtaining a universal rotor wherein the contact pointsmay be selected from an ever present series thereof, at only the placeswhere needed in the particular instance of use, the rotor being furtherimproved in strength and in mounting.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplifled in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope ofthe invention of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in

which:

55 Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section showinga two-bank switch in accordance with the present invention, the sectionof the first switch bank being taken upon line l--l of Figure 2; v

Figure 2 is a face view of the first switch bank looking from a planeindicated by line 2-2 of Figure Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3of Figure 2 showing a part of the rotor and base piece and a certainslug mounted in the rotor.

Figures 4 and 5 are opposite face views of the second switch banklooking from planes indicated by lines 4-4 and 5- 5 respectively ofFigure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of Figure 1, looking at theface of the index base;

Figures 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views on lines and 8-8 respectivelyof Figure 4;

Figure 9 is a face view of the switch-bank base;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view thereof on go line Ill-l0;

Figure 11 is a face view of the insulatory backing of the rotor for the-upper switch bank of Figure 1;

Figure 12 is across sectional view thereof on line l2-l2;

Figure 13 is a face view of the rotor contact shoe with contact ears andattaching tabs as used in the upper switch bank of Figure 1;

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view thereof on line l4i4;

Figures 15 and 17 are face views of the spring contacts and terminalconnections; and

Figures 16 and 18 are sections thereof on lines Iii-l6 and l8|8respectively.

Figure 19 is a face viewrof a rotor support.

Figures 20 and 21 are edge views looking at the same from what may betermed. the side and end respectively;

Figure 22 is a face view of the non-cylindrical extension shaft;

Figure 23 is an elevation of the cylindrical shaft;

Figures 24 and 25 are elevations taken at right angles to each other ofthe non-cylindrical and cylindrical shafts assembled with the index armand means by which the same are caused to rotate together; and

Figure 26 is a face view of a certain interlocking arm forming part ofthe assembly shown in Figures 24 and 25. I

Referring to the drawings, like numerals of reference indicate similarparts throughout, and in the specific embodiment thereof, there is shownnext to panel 30 of the radio set, an index base 3| provided at itsmiddle with a hollow collar or sleeve 32 having a flange 33 adapted toseat at one side against the index base and at the other side againstsaid panel. The sleeve 32 is secured to both the index base, as by a nut34, and to the panel, as by a nut 35, both of which are shown threadedupon the sleeve at opposite ends thereof from flange 33. By this, orother suitable mounting, the index base is made fast with respect to thepanel, and suitably prevented from rotating with respect thereto. Itwill be understood that the outer end of said sleeve 32 projects at thefront of the panel and that the sleeve passes through both the panel andthe index base so as to have the inner end of the sleeve at the insideof said index base.

The index base 3| is substantially in the form of a disc as shown inFigures 1 and 6 and is preferably provided with a pair of opposed cars31, 3'! apertured at 38, 38 to receive anchoring means such as screws 39for switch bank supports. As illustrated in Figure 1, said screws l9enter internally threaded sleeves 48, 48 which form the supports for aswitch bank. The index base 3| is additionally provided with spacedindentations 4| arranged in a circular series near the outercircumference of the said index base and is further provided with aplurality of holes 42 arranged in a circular series closer to the centerof the index base than the indentations and yet radially outward fromsleeve 32.

Within the sleeve 32 is rotatably mounted a cylindrical shaft 45 (seeFigures 1 and 23 to 25) for rotating within said sleeve and having areduced end 44 with flattened side faces projecting from the inner endof said sleeve. This reduced end furthermore terminates in a stillsmaller neck 45 and therebeyond a head 45 of approximately the diameterof said reduced end 44. An exten;

sion shaft 41, which is preferably a strip of flat material, is providednext the cylindrical shaft 43 with forked ends 48 providing therebetweena cut-out or opening 49 corresponding in shape to the reduced end, neckand head of said cylindrical shaft 43. By virtue of this shape ofcut-out, the extension shaft 4'! may be applied, by a lateral movement,upon the end of shaft 43 to form an aligned continuation thereof. At theinterlocking engagement of shaft 43 and extension 4! is mounted atransverse or laterally extending index arm 50, suitably apertured toreceive the reduced end 44 of shaft 43 therein. The aperture may beshaped to fit the flattened faces of reduced end 44. Positioned fiatwiseagainst said index arm 58 is an interlocking arm (Figure 26) the outerend of which is provided with a lip 52 turned'into an appropriate slotin the index arm so that both arms must rotate together. Thisinterlocking arm 5| likewise is apertured, as at 53, to overlie reducedend 44 with the aperture shaped to fit both the flattened sides of saidreduced end 44 and also to receive the forked ends 48, 48 of the shaftextension 41. When this assembly is completed, a lateral pressure,normal to the fiat face of the extension, is applied to head 48. Thispressure has a tendency to flatten the head causing it to tightly fitwithin the corresponding part of cut out 49 and tending to spread ends48, 48. This obtains a tight fit of said ends within the slot-likeaperture in which they project in the interlocking arm 5|. As a resultof this structure, the two shafts are held rigidly against longitudinaldisplacement and are interlocked by the two arms for insuringsimultaneous rotation of all of said parts.

At the outer end of index arm 50 is provided means for mounting aregistration or index device, such as a wheel or roller 54, (see Figures1 and 6). As here shown, this structure may conveniently include atransverse slot 55 near the outer end of the index arm, sufficient toreceive the roller 54 therethrough (see Figure 6). Normal to the slot,on opposite sides thereof midway of its length are a pair of partiallycircular impressions 56, 58 concave at the side of the arm next theindex base to form bearings for axial pintles 57, 51 on the roller. Saidroller is adapted to ride upon the face of the index base and at everystation drop into the one of the series 01' indentations 4| for locatingthe arm at that station. One or more stop pins 58 may be mounted in anappropriate hole or holes of the inner series 42. said pin projectingpreferably into path of movement of lip 52 to prevent further rotationof the shaft assembly. The provision of the series of holes 4! enablesthe pin or pins 58 to be selectively applied to meet the requirements ofany particular radio set or switch.

Rotation of the shafts 43, 41 and associated parts is effected by asuitable knob 59 on the outside of panel 30 and made fast in a suitablemanner to shaft 43. Shaft 41 passes through one or more switch bases andfor each switch base there is provided a rotor having a slot fittingsaid shaft for rotation in unison therewith.

Next above the indexing structure heretofore described and as shown inFigure 1, is a switch bank having a base and rotor, illustrated also inFigures 2 and 3. The base is the same as utilized with the upper switchbank and is illustrated in detail in Figures 9 and 10. The switch basesidentified accordingly by numeral 68 throughout, are shown in theseveral instances as formed from insulating material, preferably in theform substantially of discs. Each base is provided with a pair of ears8|, 6| apertured to receive securing means, such as bolts 62 threadedinto collars 40, which space the switch base from the index base inparallel relationship.

The switch base is provided with a central circular opening 83 withinwhich the rotor, hereinafter described, is located. Between the outerand inner circumferences of the switch base is a circular series offinger-receiving sockets 54. These sockets are arranged in the sameplacement in a circular direction as the indentations 4| of the indexbase so there will be one such socket in the switch base for eachindentation of the index base. The shape of these sockets 54 preferablyis substantially rectangular with notches 65 arranged in pairs at thefour corners, said notches being cut into the base from the socket incircumferential directions, for purposes to be later described. Betweensockets 84 may be conveniently positioned a series of holes 66 formounting a rotor support in any desired adjusted position as more fullyexplained below. The switch base as thus constructed, is a standard partfor the various switch banks, and as many thereof as desired may beutilized to make up a complete switch assembly, depending upon thecombinations of circuits desired and the particular set within which theswitch is to be used.

In order to render the switch universal for any desired combination, Iprovide a plurality of resilient switch fingers 61, shown in assembledposition in Figures 1, 2 and 4 to 7 and shown in detail in Figures 15and 16. Furthermore each said switch finger is formed into a U-shapedloop in its middle or intermediate portion 68. From one rial of whichthis finger is made is preferably a to the radio set. If so desired, the

resilient metal which enables the finger to conduct current and alsowill enable the finger to resiliently retain itself in position and alsoto pro vide a resilient contact to cooperate with the rotor. The widthof the finger where it is looped for introduction into socket 64 issubstantially equal to the width of said socket plus the notches 65. Thebottom of the loop is notched as at 1! (see Figure 15) thereby enablingit to pass through said socket. The fact that the margins of the fingerwhere passing through the socket engage within notches obtains asubstantially rigid support for the finger, preventing it from turningsidewise and yet affording opportunity for the resiliency of the fingerto function as above outlined. For obtaining permanent mounting of thefingers, the protruding loop portion of the U-shaped loop is preferablydeformed, after assembling, as by crushing or spreading, therebypreventing its removal.

A rotor is provided, as indicated above, to occupy a position withincircular opening 63 of the switch base and to be rotated by shaft 41. Asindicated in.Figure 1, the first .switch bank next the index baseprovides a rotor, the rim of which appears in the underneath plan ofFigure 2. Said rotor is preferably a disc 12 of insulatory material.This disc has a central slit 13 for receiving shaft 41 so as to berotated thereby. The said rotor disc likewise is provided with aplurality of apertures 14 arranged in a circular series for receivingslugs or contact members 15 (see Figure 3). These slugs are preferablyof resilient material bent in hair pin form so as to resiliently supportthemselves within apertures 14 with the upper doubled end thereofforming a contact to be engaged by the spring fingers 81 the contact 69of which projects over the rotor as far as the said circular series ofapertures 14. The lower ends of the, slugs 15 are flared outwardly toprevent upward displacement and rest upon a bus bar which is here shownas in two segments thereby providing one bus bar segment 16 and anotherbus bar segment 16 separated by gaps 11 between the otherwise abuttingends thereof. As manysegments for the bus bar may be provided as desiredand as many slugs or contacts 15 may be utilized as the particularcircuit arrangement requires.

The bus 'bar described may, if desired, be formed with each sectionthereof integral with a radially outwardly extending arm 18 having alooped portion 19 introduced into one of the rectangular notchedopenings 64 of the switch base. This affords means whereby the switchbase may have more or less segments applied thereto, affords appropriatesupport for the bus bar and the arm furthermore enables a wire to beconnected thereto for completing the circuit loop 19 may be crushed asshown in Figure 1 for permanently retaining the bus bar section mountedwith respect to the switch base. This operation is similar to thecrushing or deformation previously described with respect to the loopsof the contact fingers. The bus bar segments may be made of a standardlength if desired, adjacent segments may then be connected to providelonger segments where required.

Preferably a supporting insulatory annular ring 89 lies immediatelybeneath the bus bar sections thereof, as shown at the such as alreadydescribed.

for giving them additional support. If 'sodesired, the bus bar sectionsmay have tabs 8| depending therefrom through holes 82 in this annularinsulatory ring 88 thereby affording a much more rigid support for thebus bar sections. An auxiliary support 83 may be provided for thisannular insulatory supporting ring, the present showing of thisauxiliary support being illustrated in Figures 1,2 and 19 to 21. Thissupport may conveniently comprise a pair of diverging arms 84 the outerends of which extend over the edge of the switch base and return on theother side of the base, as at 85, so that a rivet 86 may be appliedthrough the parallel portions of each arm and through the interveningswitch base for obtaining rigid attachment. The meeting ends of the arms84 provide a rib 81 which underlies the said insulatory ring andsupports the same. As shown in Figure 2, the assembled bus bar andinsulatory ring have a three point support, one point being by theauxiliary support 83, and the other two supports being by the radialarms 18.

It will be understood that the middle of both of the insulatory ring 88and the bus bar are circu larly open so as to permit rotation of theshaft 41 freely therein.

In the switch bank shown at the top of Figure 1 and also shown inFigures 4, 5, 'I and 8, the rotor preferably comprises an insulatorydisc 88 which carries the metallic rotor contact shoe 89. These parts ofthe rotor are shown in detail in Figures 11 to 14. In this construction,the rotor is provided, as before, with a slot 13 through the insulatorypart thereof so as to receive shaft 41 therein to be rotated thereby.The periphery of the insulatory plate or part 88 of the rotor isprovided with a plurality of notches 88 and the metallic part or rotorshoe 89 is provided with a plurality of corresponding projections orcontacts 98 which can be bent upwardly through notches 88 and projectfrom the top surface of the rotor insulatory plate 88 normal to theplane left of the rotor in Figure '7. As many of these contactprojections 90 as desired may be turned up in order to effect thecircuit combinations required of the switch. Those not required forcontact purposes may remain fiat as shown at the underside of the rotorat the right of Figure 7. At the middle part of the rotor shoe areprovided a plurality of forked tabs 9| which are upturned, and projectthrough appropriate holes 92 in the insulatory plate 88. These forkedtabs may be wedged outward or flared at their ends by an appropriatetool for effecting a permanent assembly of the rotor shoe with theinsulatory plate.

It will be understood that appropriate spring contact fingers 61 areinserted in the rectangular sockets of switch base 6| such that thecontact portion 69 of said. finger projects over the rotor in .the pathof movement of upturned contacts 90 as shown in Figure '7. Connection tothe rotor shoe may be secured by a similar contact finger 93 shownparticularly in Figures 1, 8, 17 and 18. This finger 93 provides amiddle looped mounting portion 94 from one leg of which extends acontact portion 95 to underlie and engage the rotor shoe and from theother leg of which extends a portion 96 for having a wire attachedthereto from the radio circuit. The rotor may be supported by anadequate number of these contact members 93 or by a supporting member 83In the showing of Figure 8, I have indicated the rotor shoe as insections, whereas in Figures 13 and 14 I have shown the rotor shoe asone complete section. It will be understood that the structure of Figure8 would require a pair of contact members 93, one for each sectionshown, whereas a single contact member 93 for contact purposes is allthat would be required when using rotor shoe shown in Figure 13.

In operation, the angular rotation of shafts 43 and 41 obtained bytwisting knob 59 is con trolled by index arm which will most readilycome to rest when roller 54 seats in one of the indentations 4|. All ofthe switch banks are arranged to have the contact arms, at this point ofrest, overlying the positions of contact effected by either slugs 15 orprojections heretofore described as constituting the cooperating contactmembers from the bus bar or rotor contact shoe as the case may be.Intermediate positions throughout the angular travel of the shaft androtors are indicated and controlled by the index arm, as will heunderstood.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, when construed in the light of the prior art, itis intended that all matter contained in the above description and shownin the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only,and not in a limiting sense. 7

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An electric switch structure comprising in combination with aninsulatory switch base, said base having an annular series of openingstherethrough, a bus bar, a radial arm from said bus bar having aresilient loop, said loop being insertable at will in one of saidopenings for mounting the bus bar in desired position upon the base, andan auxiliary support for said bus bar from the said switch base.

2. An electric switch comprising in combination with a switch basehaving a central opening, a rotor within said opening comprising aninsulatory disc having edge notches therein, a rotor contact shoe havingprojections registering with said notches and adapted to be selectivelybent into said notches to project from the opposite face of the saiddisc normal thereto for providing contacts from the rotor shoe.

3. A switch assembly comprising a stator disc of insulatory sheetmaterial, an aperture therein, a rotor disc of insulatory materialmounted so as to turn in said aperture, control means for turning saidrotor disc, an arcuate row of stator contacts mounted on one face ofsaid stator along the periphery of said rotor disc, a common statorcontact mounted on the opposite face of said stator, a rotor contactshoe mounted on one face of said rotor disc so as to turn therewith,said contact shoe being adapted to make contact with said common statorcontact, a plurality of rotor contacts located on the opposite face ofsaid rotor and adapted selectively to make contact with contacts of saidrow 01' stator contacts, and means passing through said rotor andconductively joining said rotor contacts to said rotor contact shoe.

ARTHUR HALL,

